NaNo Week #2 // 50,000 WORDS AND MY FIRST WRITE-IN!

Saturday, November 11, 2017
It's day eleven of NaNoWriMo! How are you doing?? Do you need a nap? Chocolate? Seventeen cups of coffee? All of the above?

Somehow, I'm surviving. It's been insane, but a good sort of insane. A type of insanity that only writers will understand. :P

DAY FOUR: 5,024
Like I mentioned in my last NaNoWriMo wrap-up, I went to a write-in at my library today! This was my first write-in, so I was super excited to meet and discuss books with other writers, but... everyone was so quiet. Literally the only conversation I had was with someone commenting on my NaNoWriMo shirt. The rest of the time was just frantic typing filling the silence.

It wasn't a bad thing, since I got lots of writing done... but still very different from what I was expecting. We were all so silent and still that at one point the lights turned off since they were motion-activated. xD

I'm glad I went, because I got a "NaNoWriMo superpowered noveling" sticker for my computer! It makes me ridiculously happy.

DAY FIVE: 5,017
I GOT TO WRITE A PLOT TWIST TODAY! I've been looking forward to this twist since I brainstormed it in October. I already know that this scene is going to need lots of editing... but hey! At least I have the bare bones on the page. xD 

And by the way... it is so tough to write a story with a large cast. I just... there are so many character arcs to juggle! So many backstories and fears and hopes and dreams and struggles and relationships and different personalities to sort out! Ugh, it's exhausting, and I already know that editing is going to be a nightmare. At least I'm passionate about this story so I have one thing going for me. :P

DAY SIX: 5,041
Ahh, day six of NaNoWriMo. It's a Monday: the start of another week of school and a thirty-hour work week. *collapses from busyness* But at least all the working means all the coffee drinking. ;)

OH! And speaking of work, the greatest thing happened to me today. A little boy came up to the register with his dad and ordered a hot chocolate. I asked him for his name, and he said in a small voice, "Landon!"

Um. What. Landon is one of my main character's name. O.O I couldn't stop grinning for a solid five minutes. I hope he grows up to be a reader and devours my book someday. <3

I also hope that he's not angry at me for putting his character through some rough stuff. (oops)

DAY SEVEN: 4,007
Today I was tired and unmotivated, so I stopped writing after I hit 4k instead of doing my usual 5k. I'm totally okay with that. Hypothetically, I could've stayed up until midnight writing... but... I wanted keep my sanity in check, so. xD (and if I continued writing, the words probably would've come out as nonsense so it's a good thing I stopped when I did)

Other things worth mentioning about today: Twitter exploded with their new 280 character limit. Obviously that makes it the perfect opportunity to scream about NaNoWriMo:
(this is one of my most popular tweets so I fear for the well being of all the NaNoWriMo participants XD)

DAY EIGHT: 5,002 
Guess. what. happened. today? I GOT A NEW COFFEEMAKER! My morning coffee will return! The caffeine consumption rate will rise! My fingers will be blurs of movement across the keyboard while coffee spreads throughout my veins. (MWAHAHAHA. :P)

Today I worked hard at finishing all my writing in the afternoon, because I had holiday setup at Starbucks from eight until midnight (decorating, updating menus, unveiling all the new cups, coffee, etc). I had a crazy fun time singing carols with my coworkers and eating pizza in the empty store at eleven at night... but it is not fun trying to change the drivethru menu boards in five degree weather while it is snowing. 100% do not recommend because you will end the night with frozen fingers. 

Otherwise, I had a blast. xD

DAY NINE: 5,108
Are you starting to sense a pattern with my word counts yet? Once I type that five thousandth word, it's rather difficult for me to summon any motivation to write more than that. But I'm getting soooo cloooseee to 50,000! If I manage to do 5k more tomorrow... there's a possibility that I can hit the big 50 on day ten. o.O

DAY TEN: 4,803
I DID IT! I HIT 50,000 WORDS! *collapses forever and ever*

One of the questions that keeps coming my way is: how close are you to finishing your book now that you've hit 50,000? 

My answer? I DON'T KNOWWWWW! I wish I was good at estimating. I know that I'm nearing the climax, but... I have no idea how many words it'll take me to actually finish the story. 75k? 80k? 90k? Somewhere in that range? I'll keep you updated on that mystery. xD

 
TOTALS FOR THE WEEK:

body count: just one! go me!
word count: 34,002 [month total: 50,011]
time spent writing: eighteen hours, forty-eight minutes [month total: 28h, 50m]
mornings without coffee: five
mornings WITH coffee: two!
nights stayed up past midnight: two (this is such an improvement from NaNo '16)

So, overall, this week of NaNoWriMo was a success. I'm feeling good about my story (albeit a little unsure about the characters/flow), and I'm excited to keep cranking out those words!

Also, shout out to my word warring buddies. I definitely wouldn't have hit 50k this soon without the motivation and accountability. o.o

How are all of you faring?? Keep in mind that I'm a naturally faster writer than most, so try not to compare your progress. NaNoWriMo is an extremely tough challenge, but ultimately the purpose is to get words on the page. And if you're doing that, you're doing well. <3

<3,
katie grace
nanowrimo profile

63 comments :

  1. Katie, I think YOU are the superhero. How in the world can you write that much? Oh, the write-in sounds slightly awkward. I'm the kind of person who likes conversation, even if I'm not part of it. I literally don't know how you did it so fast, but a major congratulations just the same!

    ~ Ella Marie

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    1. It was slightly awkward, but I think other write-ins might be different? So I'm giving a different write-in a try this Friday and am excited. :D

      THANK YOU. <3 <3

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  2. CONGRATS ON HITTING 50k IN UNDER TWO WEEKS THATS LITERALLY THE BEST. I'm struggling to keep my plot from running away considering I'm only at 5,987 words TOTAL. But alas, life and school are happening, so writing kinda gets thrown on the backburner.

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    1. Psh, that's still a good number! You're SO CLOSE TO 6k! Another thirty seconds and you'll be there. ;)

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    2. I MADE IT TO 6k TODAY KATIE I'M SO PATHETICALLY HAPPY ABOUT THIS YOU HAVE NO IDEA. *hyperventilates*

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    3. AHHH I'M REALLY LATE TO REPLYING BUT CONGRATULATIONS! *showers confetti on you*

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    4. LATE REPLYING IS FINE. At least you're putting in the effort to reply. ;)

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  3. CONGRATS ON HITTING 50K! I wish I could write that fast hehe :)

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    1. Thanks, Jolly! And it just takes a lot of time, mostly. Haha.

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  4. Katie. Come on. Let us have some of your writing speed please. XD CONGRATS GIRLFRIEND! You're doing amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great job!

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    1. AW THANK YOU, FLORID! *dances* How are you holding up with NaNo??

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  5. Wow, that's awesome! You are a fast writer. I'm not doing NaNa. Just watching as everyone scrambles around going insane. XD

    ~Ivie
    iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. Hehe, I bet it's kind of nice to sit aside and watch the craziness ensue. I hope you have an awesome month without the overwhelming NaNo stress!

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  6. WOW! Awesome, Katie! I can't believe you hit 50k in two weeks! :)

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    1. I don't think I can really believe it, either. o.o

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  7. CONGRATS ON 50k!! That’s so exciting! Good luck finishing your novel! Your write-in sounded...interesting. I’ve been looking some up in my area, but the only one I found with much info was on Wednesdays?? No. That is so cool that the kid’s name was Landon!! (And working at Starbucks sounds totally fun!) I’m at 17.5k, so I’m happy with my progress so far.

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    1. THANK YOU, RILEY! Aww, boo. Hopefully you can find a different write-in that works better with your schedule. :D

      Oh my gosh, you're at 17.5k? So close to 20k! YOU CAN DO THIS.

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  8. Congratulations! Haha, I'm so bad at not staying up past midnight. Why SLEEP when you can WORK?

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    1. OH MY GOSH THAT SOUNDS LIKE MY LIFE MOTTO. I feel so guilty going to bed because there are SO MANY OTHER THINGS TO DO. *grumble* But I've been forcing myself to become better at a healthy sleep schedule just so that the work I do isn't filled with sleep-deprivedness. xD

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  9. Congratulations on 50k!! I'm only at 5k *dies*. I just haven't been feeling well this week (I have some health issues), and I also found A MAJOR PLOT HOLE AGH!! So, I decided to take this week off and re-outline because I would lose my mind if I didn't. I probably won't win this year? But I'm okay with that.... These are just rewrites after all.
    Also, I WANT TO READ ALL YOUR BOOKS. I almost wrote a superhero story this year (we might have even talked about it on twitter??), but then I decided that I was going to rewrite my spy story instead. But now the more I'm reading your progress, the more I'm wishing I could have done both!
    Also, did you come up with some character names? A few posts ago you were talking about how you had temporary names, if I'm not mistaken, and I don't believe Landon was in that list? Mhmmmm🤔
    Good luck on all your writings and YAY for new coffee machine!!

    Emily y
    emilyywrites.wordpress.com

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    1. Oh noo, I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well! That's so frustrating to struggle with during NaNoWriMo -- a time when it's crucial to be on top of your game. That stinks. :/

      Ugh, and plot holes? You poor girl! I BELIEVE IN YOU.

      I searched a bunch of baby name sites. And I asked Twitter. And I browsed Pinterest. So these were the results. :P

      You can do this, Emily! <3

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  10. Well done for completing NaNoWriMo!

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  11. CONGRATS ON 50k!!! That's epic <33

    I'm... faring alright. I'm over halfway through my second act. My word count for every scene is going waaaay over, but I think my third act will be nice and short. I only have two POV characters, but my novel will probably be 90k *headdesks*

    (And yaasss for the new coffee machine)

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    1. Thanks so much, Audrey!

      ARE YOU FEELING BETTER FINALLY?! I really hope so, and goodness, 90k? Yikes. Are you... trying to finish that during NaNo? o.o

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  12. *Throws confetti* Congrats on reaching 50,000 words!:)
    -Quinley

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    1. Thanks so much, Quinley! It's definitely exciting. :D

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  13. I love your NaNo blogposts! Congrats on 50K!! That's insane! (Also, hooray for a new coffeemaker!)

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    1. Thanks, Hanne! it's always good to hear, because I fear that they're really boring. :P

      AND YES. I'M VERY GLAD THAT I HAVE COFFEE. o.o

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  14. Whoa lady!! You srsly completed nano and it's only the 11th.. WAY TO GO!!! *sends ice cream*

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  15. I actually had to give up NaNoWriMo because it became too much for me to handle. But I'm really happy it's working out for you and that you're making such good progress.

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    1. Aww. Hey, that's okay! Hopefully the motivation of everyone writing like crazy this month can still encourage you to write some words. :) Otherwise, I hope you enjoy your break, Rebecca! <3

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  16. Congratulations on reaching 50K!!! And good luck with the rest of your novel, too. It sounds amazing! Will you (maybe) be posting an excerpt later? :)

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    1. Ooh, excerpts. Merhh, maybe? I'm very hesitant to share my first-draft work, but I'll definitely look out for snippets I can share. xD

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  17. This was my plan. I was going to write a ton and be ton by the 10th. I hot 30k on the 5th and just got distracted. Now it's the 11th and I am still at 30k. XD I need to start writing again, and I admire your consistency! Go you!

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    1. Awww. XD but hey, that's still super awesome. You're well ahead of the par for day 11. :P

      Since I answered this comment embarrassingly late... how are you doing on your word count now??

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  18. Congrats on reaching 50,000, Katie!! :D *cheers* and the COFFEE IS BACK. Praise the Lord. :P
    GOSH isn't it cool when someone has the same name as a character?! 0-0
    God bless you girl! KEEP WRITING ON!! ♥
    -Ang | thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com

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    1. YESS. COFFEE. FINALLY. *cheers wildly*

      Thanks so much, Angela! <3

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  19. I always wondered what a write-in would be like.
    Congrats on 50k!

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    1. I think that was a pretty unusual write-in... so I'm giving a different write-in a try tonight! I'm pumped. :D

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  20. Although the write-in probably felt awkward, I can't help thinking that's what I'd expect to happen. If you get a bunch of people who are supposed to be writing, together in one room, there's going to be more writing…and less conversation, ya know? It's weird that more conversation didn't break out, you know, like afterwards. I'd think that everyone would WANT to talk about their novel / characters, etc…I know I would!

    Still in awe over 50k. I am getting words on the page, but not nearly as fast. But it's fine because I like to think about what I'm writing before I write it.

    You must be so happy about the new coffee maker. : )
    cheers.
    k.

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    1. Yeah, right?? It didn't help that the leader of the write-in didn't say anything, so it almost seemed rude to break out in conversation. xD I'm going to a different write-in tonight, so hopefully it's a little more talkative! (but yet... still productive. :P)

      Ahh, that makes sense! I understand that feeling. :)

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  21. EEEP I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU. I probably wouldn't have hit 50k by now if not from the motivation of staying ahead of your word count. XD

    YOUR NOVEL SOUNDS SO COOL THOUGH. ARGH. Yayyy for new coffee makers. *rubs hands excitedly* Will we get and small snippets?? I WANTS YOUR STORY.

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    1. I love how we were both aware of the unspoken competitiveness. xD Well done to you for going so fast. :P

      ACK I'VE BEEN CONSIDERING SNIPPETS BUT I'M VERY HESITANT TO SHARE FIRST-DRAFT WORK SO WE'LL SEE IF I END UP SHARING ANY.

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  22. Ahhhh you hit 50k!!! So happy for you! *high fives* And dude, the write-in sounds kind of ... weird? :P But the sticker sounds nice. I'm starting a collection on Natasha :D I'm so happy for you hitting 50k!! I need to catch up this week, now that I'll be home FINALLY. *collapses and slinks off to write more words*

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    1. Ack, you are?? I want to see pictures of this sticker collection. O.O

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  23. I totally feel you with the multiple characters thing; balancing them is hard. My story I've been really, really slowly working on has a bunch. Sounds like you're doing pretty amazing with NaNo so far! Keep up the good work!
    Also (and this is wildly unrelated), I've just started reading The Lunar Chronicles (just finished Cinder) and I'm so invested. I know that's kinda arbitrary, but I think I remember you saying you liked that series, haha. Anyway, here's to another fun and productive week of NaNo! Good luck!

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    1. YES. YOU FINALLY STARTED READING THEM. Eeek! Cress was one of my favorites, so I can't wait for you to get to that one. You'll have to keep me updated on your favorite characters. *nodnod* Marissa Meyer is such an inspiring author. o.o

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  24. Oh my gosh I'm amazed at how you are able to write 5K WORDS EVERY DAY!!!

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    1. YEAH I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW THAT ENDED UP HAPPENING. o.o

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  25. Yay! You hit 50k! That's so awesome!

    I'm sorry your write-in wasn't as exciting as you were hoping. I haven't been to one in real life, but I've done a few of the ones through NaNo HQ and I have one scheduled tonight with a few of my writing group's members. That should be fun!

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    1. Aww, that sounds like so much fun! Seeing that I'm answering this comment so late... I hope that the writing session was inspiring and productive. :)

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  26. Congrats on hitting 50K! You are a legend! :) The write-in sounds fun even though it was quiet. I can picture a bunch of writers just furiously typing away and then the light going off - hilarious! Can't wait to hear more about your novel! :) <3

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    1. I know, it was so funny. After the light went off we lugged our gazes from our computers and just exchanged wide-eyed stares. :P

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  27. Hang in there, Katie! You're doing great! *thumbs up*
    I am not doing NaNoWriMo this year, but I definitely want to next year! :)

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    1. YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO NANO NEXT YEAR. If you start planning now, you'll be plenty prepared by the time next November rolls around. xD

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  28. Congrats on hitting making your goal!! It's so crazy how fast you wrote 50k. It would take me aggggges. I always love reading your daily update posts. I remember reading all of the NanoWrimo ones last year! ( I think it was last year.... Maybe it was the year before that too.)

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    1. Brooke! *hugs* It's been awhile since I've heard from you and it made me happy to see your name pop up in the comments. :D

      I think I've done NaNo updates the past two years, so that would make sense. xD I hope everything's going well with you! <3

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  29. KATIE GRACE!!!! YOU ARE A FREAKING SUPERWOMAN!!!!!

    You amaze me. Oh my gosh, how you amaze me.

    KEEP KILLING IT! <3<3<3

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  30. WOW!! This inspires me to just sit down and do a lot more writing. Even though I'm not doing NaNoWriMo, I need to get back to the routine of just writing things, and not just in my journal.

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  31. AGGGHHHH YOU DID IT!!! *flails* That is so AWESOME!
    I would LOVE to see some snippets sometime soon...I DON'T CARE HOW UNEDITED THEY ARE. ^_^

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